Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2023
115. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has considered the introduction of a support scheme for fishers operating small boats who are struggling due to increased fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41794/23]
View answerThe small-scale fleet is an integral part of the overall Irish fishing fleet representing the majority of registered vessels and over half of all employment in the sector. The fleet is distributed all around the island with vessels registered in over 400 towns and villages, with over 300 small-scale fishing vessels registered in each of the counties Donegal, Cork and Galway, over 200 each in Kerry and Mayo with significant numbers in Wexford, Waterford, Dublin and Louth.
I am cognisant of the need for ongoing support and development of the inshore sector.
Under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund, the Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme 2022 operated over January to March and was availed of by 771 inshore fishing vessel owners at a cost of €2.5 million. The Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme 2023 provides €3.5 million in direct supports to Inshore fishers. Payments under the scheme, which range from €2,700 to €4,000 per eligible fisher, are accompanied by training modules which will help fishers to adapt their operations to reduce costs, improve product quality and reach new customers.
That scheme is part of a wider package of supports and development strategies which includes investments in marketing and promotion of inshore stocks, development of marine infrastructure and investing in all elements of the seafood supply chain, providing new and growing avenues for inshore catch.
Beyond this, my Department’s European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Seafood Development Programme is commencing its implementation. The €258 million programme will provide a wide range of supports for fishers and the wider development of the seafood sector. Inshore representatives form part of the monitoring committee for this programme and will have opportunity to input into the development of schemes to support the sector. This programme will also provide for ongoing support of the Producer Organisations which will help the Inshore sector to develop further.
